Despite the cold water of the Altantic ocean, we met the French longboarder Coline Ménard enjoying waves in Biarritz, at La Côte des Basques, this weekend. Just before the sun set, between the lights of the Villa Belza and the coming darkness of the night, Coline talked to us about her last results in China, her studies and her plans for 2013

Interview by Elisa Routa

Hi Coline, what are you up to?
Hey, I’m good! I got back from the Swatch Pro China last December and resumed my classes at the institute of Optics in Bordeaux.

What about this sunset session?
Well, it was not looking very promising with high tide in the middle of the afternoon. I thought that the “Belza” spot wouldn’t work. But in the end, we had a really beautiful winter session! Few people in the water, good atmosphere… My only regret was not wearing gloves to stay until the night! I was a bit cold and at the end, I didn’t manage to paddle anymore! It was a glassy session. The kind of session that we don’t want to end.

Tell us a bit more about the end of 2012?
That was quite good actually! Like last year, I spent the Christmas holidays here in France, in the coldness. But I appreciate it more and more. I like this particular atmosphere, the magic of Christmas that we don’t often find in La Réunion Island. Let’s say it is different! Instead of eating lychees, I really enjoyed foie gras!

What about surfing?
As I said, I spent time in China where I ended up 13th during the World Championships. A disappointing result but a bit logical cause I spend less time in water because of my studies. However, Clément, my boyfriend, and I enjoy immortalizing our winter sessions and doing small edits that we share on my blog colinemenard.tumblr.com. You even can see our last video of China.

What are your plans for 2013?
As I have my final exams in June, I cannot travel a lot by then. 2013 is a studious year! But I fully intend to travel far this summer and surf in other oceans, hotter than the Atlantic! Then in November, I’ll go back to Hainan, in China, for the third edition of the Swatch event.